CHARACTERIZATION OF CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND WATER HARVESTING SYSTEM FOR CROP PRODUCTION IN ADULALA WATERSHED, CENTRAL RIFT VALLEY OF ETHIOPIA

Abstract:

Scarcity of water is the most severe constraint for traditional agriculture in semi-arid areas of Ethiopia. Precipitation is extremely variable, thus water harvesting is crucial for ensuring improved crop production. A study was carried out to identify potential rainwater harvesting systems for improved crop production under climate variability in Adulala watershed, central rift valley of Ethiopia. Primary and secondary data together with other relevant information through a well-structured questionnaire were collected and analyzed to charachterize climate variability and water harvesting structures and to estimate runoff and crop water requirement. The inter annual rainfall variability showed a significant (p